E 475 

i, L REPORT 

Copy 1 



Gelt|st)U[g Battle-Field Commission 

OF NEW JERSEY. 

CONSTITUTED UNDER AN ACT OF THE LEGISLATURE. 
APPROVED APRIL 27th; 1886. 



Dated December 7th, 1886. 




TRENTON, N. J. : 
The John L, Murphy Publishing Co.. Printers. 



REPORT 



Gettifsburg Battle-Field Commission 



OF NEW JERSEY. 



CONSTITUTED UNDER AN ACT OF THE LEGISLATURE, 
APPROVED APRIL 27th. 1886. 



Dated December 7th, 1886. 



TRENTON, N. J. : 
The John L. Murphy Publishing Co., Printerk. 

1887. 



£^^6 



61503 

i05 



I 



GETTYSBURG MONUMENT COMMISSIONERS. 

— ♦ — 

JAMES N. DUFFY, Newark. 

GOTTFRIED KRUEGER, Newark. 

WILLIAM H. CORBIN, Elizabeth. 



REPORT. 



To His Excellency Leon A bbeit, Governor of New Jersey : 

The undersigned, Commissioners appointed by your Excellency to 
carry out the provisions of chapter 199, of the laws of 1886, being 
a supplement to "An act to provide for the erection of suitable 
monuments to mark the position of New Jersey regiments upon the 
battle-field of Gettysburg," respectfully submit the following report : 
The appointment of Commissioners was made on May 27th, 1886. 
The Commissioners met at Jersey City, on the eighth day of June, 
and organized by the election of James N. Duffy, as Chairman, and 
William H. Corbin, as Secretary, Since that time numerous meetings 
of the Commission have been held at Newark, New York, Phila- 
delphia and Gettysburg. 



REGIMENT8 ENGAGED AT GETTYSBURG. 

The Commission first ascertained and determined that the following 
New Jersey regiments and batteries were engaged or present at Gettys- 
burg, and are entitled to recognition in the erection of monuments : 

The First Infantry (Col. McAllister) ; the Second Infantry (Col. 
Buck) ; the Third Infantry (Col. Brown) ; the Fourth Infantry (Maj . 
Ewing) ; the Fifteenth Infantry (Col. Penrose). These five regiments 
composed the First Brigade, commanded by Gen. A. T. A. Torbert, 
of Wright's Division of the Sixth Army Corps, under Gen. Sedgwick. 
The Fifth Infantry (Col. Sewell) ; the Sixth Infantry (Lieut.-Col. 
Oilkyson); the Seventh Infantry (Col. Francine); the Eighth In- 
fantry (Col. Ramsay). These four regiments belonged to the Third 
Brigade, commanded by Col. Burling, of Humphrey's Division of 
the Third Army Corps, under General Sickles. The Eleventh In- 
fantry (Col. McAllister), of the First Brigade, commanded by Gen. 
Carr, of Humphrey's Division, Third Army Corps. The Twelfth 
Infantry (Maj. Hill), of the Second Brigade, commanded by Col. 
Smyth, of General Alexander Hays' Division of the Second Army 
Corps, under Gen. Hancock. The Thirteenth Infantry (Col. Car- 
man), of the Third Brigade, commanded by Col. Colgrove, of Ruger's 
Division of the Twelfth Army Corps, under Gen. Williams. The 
First Cavalry (Maj. Beaumont), in the First Brigade, commanded by 

(6) 



6 REPORT OF THE GETTYSBURG 

Col. Mcintosh, of Gen. D. McM. Gregg's Division of the Cavalry 
Corps, under Gen. Pleasanton. Battery "A" (Lieut. Parsons), of the 
First Regiment of Artillery, attached to the Fourth Volunteer 
Brigade of the Artillery Reserve, under Gen. R. O. Tyler. Battery 
"B" (Capt. Clark), of the First Regiment of Artillery, attached to the 
Artillery Brigade of the Third Army Corps. It will thus be seen 
that twelve regiments of infantry, one of cavalry, and two batteries 
of artillery, in all fifteen commands from New Jersey, were engaged. 



DESIGNATION OF SOLDIERS TO ASSIST IN LOCATING LINES. 

The law under which the Commissioners were appointed provides 
that "they shall determine the style, number and location of the 
marks and monuments to be erected under this act, and shall erect 
the same with all convenient speed ; in making such location, they 
shall designate and call to their aid one officer or enlisted man who 
was present at the battle of Gettysburg from each New Jersey regi- 
ment and battery there engaged, and with their assistance and that of 
the officers of said Association (The Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial 
Association) shall locate the lines and positions occupied by the 
respective regiments and batteries." 

Having determined what commands were present at the battle, the 
Commission next designated and called to their aid in making the 
locations provided for in the act, the following officers and enlisted 
men. Where rank is given it is the rank held at the time of the 
battle of Gettysburg. First Infantry, First Sergeant William Brant ; 
Second Infantry, Surgeon Lewis W. Oakley, Lieut. Joseph Donovan ; 
Third Infantry, First Sergeant A. W. Cattell ; Fourth Infantry, John P. 
Beech ; Fifteenth Infantry, Corporal Jacob Reidinger ; Fifth Infantry^ 
Col. William J. Sewell; Sixth Infantry, Joseph Smith; Seventh 
Infantry, First Sergeant W. H. H. Condit, Theodore Searing ; Eighth 
Infantry, Sergeant Benjamin Murphy ; Eleventh Infantry, Frank P. 
Mulcahy ; Twelfth Infantry, Sergeant James White ; Thirteenth Infantry, 
Samuel Toombs ; First Cavalry, Lieut. George A. Bowne ; Battery 
"^," First Artillery, Capt. A. J. Clark. These designations were made 
prior to the thirtieth of June in order that the persons designated might 
be at Gettysburg with the Commission on the anniversary of the 
battle. It was believed that besides the advantage of seeing the 
ground at the very time of year when the battle was fought, assistance 
could be obtained from the many veterans who would be upon the 
field at the time, and so it proved. Nearly all the regiments had 
several survivors present, and they rendered valuable assistance to the 
Commission and to their comrades who had been designated for the 
work, in tracing out the exact positions occupied. It will be observed 
that no designation was made for Battery "A." So few members of the 
battery survive that it was impossible to find one in time for the trip 
proposed. The designation will be hereafter made. 



BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 



LOCATION OF LINES AND POSITIONS. 

The Commissioners, with the oificers and men designated, together 
with Adjutant-General Stryker, who had been deputed by your Excel- 
lency to accompany and assist the Commission, proceeded to Gettys- 
burg, and on the first and second days of July located the principal 
positions of the regiments and batteries. Stakes, properly marked, 
were driven in the center of the positions. Where several positions 
were occupied during the battle, the most advanced position occupied 
and held was selected. Positions in skirmish line, however, were not 
marked. The interesting task of tracing the lines of battle and 
defining the exact spots held by the regiments occupied two days. 
The work was done with great care, and the Commission succeeded, 
in every instance, in fixing the locations beyond question. Owing to 
the fact that the New Jersey troops were represented in every arm of 
the service and were attached to several different corps, the positions 
they occupied, and which have been marked, are widely scattered over 
the battle-field. The position of the First Cavalry Regiment is about 
three miles from the nearest of the other positions, it having been 
engaged in the severe cavalry fight on the right flank on the third of 
July. The Eleventh and Seventh Regiments and Battery " B " were 
near the peach orchard, which is about three miles (measured along 
the line of battle) from the position of the Thirteenth, near Spangler's 
spring. The Eighth was in the wheat field ; the Fifth in the front 
line on the Emmettsburg road ; the Sixth at the Devil's Den ; the 
Twelfth and Battery "A" near the center, on Cemetery hill, and Gen. 
Torbert's Brigade was on the northerly slope of Little Round Top. 
The New Jersey troops were represented at most of the important 
points of the second and third days' battles. A list of the positions 
located will be found in Schedule A annexed to this report. 

The Commissioners are much indebted to the officers and men desig- 
nated to assist in locating lines, for their cheerful and faithful aid. 
They entered into the task with enthusiasm, and patiently and with 
much painstaking followed up every means of inquiry and observa- 
tion to come to the exact truth. Their comrades also, who were 
present, and Gen. Stryker, rendered the Commission valuable assist- 
ance. 

SITES FOR THE MONUMENTS. 

After much consideration the Commission determined that the posi- 
tion of each of the fifteen commands should be marked, and, as a rule, 
each should have a separate monument. In the case of the First, 
Second, Third, Fourth and Fifteenth Regiments, however, which 
composed what was called the First Jersey Brigade, we have thought 
it best to make an exception. These regiments (except the Fourth, 



8 REPORT or THE GETTYSBURG 

which was guarding ammunition a little to the rear,) were together in 
the line of battle of July 3d, but were not engaged except on the 
skirmish and picket lines. We therefore propose to erect one monu- 
ment to this brigade on the center of its position, also placing sub- 
stantial granite posts to mark the center of each regiment. This 
course meets the approval of the survivors of the brigade, as expressed 
by a vote at their reunion last autumn. 

The Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Eleventh and Twelfth Regi- 
ments of infantry, and Batteries "A" and "B" of the artillery were all 
very heavily engaged, at different places, no two being together. All 
suffered severely and fought with great courage and .devotion to duty. 
We think a monument should be erected to each of these commands. 
The survivors of the Twelfth Regiment have already erected, in the 
main line of battle near Bryan's barn, on Cemetery ridge, an appro- 
priate monument. It happens that this regiment performed a very 
heroic special service which we think should be commemorated. 
On the evening of July 2d, four of its companies were ordered 
to charge upon a large barn in an open field, six hundred yards 
to their front, and dislodge the enemy's sharp-shooters. The barn 
stood at the rear of the Confederate skirmish line and midway 
between the lines of battle of the two armies. The charge was 
made under a terrific fire of musketry and artillery, the Confederate 
skirmish line was broken and ninety-seven prisoners brought back 
from the barn. The four companies lost forty men in the assault. 
On the morning of July 3d five other companies were ordered to 
repeat the assault, which they successfully did, capturing the barn, 
driving back the Confederate skirmishers and bringing back two 
prisoners. They also lost heavily. The barn was soon after again 
taken by other troops and, by order of the division commander, 
burned. • 

The Commissioners propose to raise a shaft on the site of the barn, 
commemorative of this incident. 

The Thirteenth Infantry suffered from sharp-shootei*s in its position 
on the right, near Rock creek, though not heavily engaged. It moved 
to the support of the bloody charge made by one-half of its brigade 
under Col. Colgrove, on the morning of July 3d, at Spangler's spring. 
It rendered other trying service during the battle. We propose to 
erect a monument to the Thirteenth at its position on Rock creek. 
The First Cavalry made a most gallant fight at Rummel's farm, on 
the right flank, on July 3d, being engaged several hours. Its monu- 
ment is to be located on its position near Rummel's house. The 
necessary sites for all these monuments can be procured. The com- 
missioners have received from the Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial 
Association a deed and undertaking assuring to the State of New 
Jersey the positions desired. (See Schedule A.) The land for most 
of them has already been secured. This deed having been delivered 
and most ample guarantees of assistance and co-operation received 



BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 9 

from the Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association, we requested 
the payment of the appropriation of $3,000 made to the Association, 
and it has been paid by the State. 



COST OF MONUMENTS. 

There will be required to properly mark the field, as above proposed, 
one brigade monument, ten regimental monuments and four or five 
substantial shafts or posts. All these should be of the most enduring 
character. They should be of such material and so constructed that, 
if unmolested, they will stand for many centuries. 

The principal design in their erection is not to point out to the 
present generation the lines of battle, but rather to write the history 
of this famous struggle upon the very earth itself, for future ages to 
read and ponder, and so, by a mighty object lesson, to teach them the 
courage, the fortitude and devotion of their fathers. Any slight or 
trivial marks, for such a purpose, must excite derision rather than 
induce patriotic and serious contemplation. 

The multitudes of crumbling and tottering marble shafts in all our 
cemeteries, which have failed to withstand the frosts of half a century, 
illustrate the folly of cheap building. The monuments should be 
built of the best granite or other unstratified stone, and so designed 
that no water will remain upon any part of them for an instant. 

They should be sufficiently massive to hold their positions, even 
against such earthquake shocks as have been felt in this country. 
They should not, however, be towering or tall. Expensive sculpture, 
though desirable, is not essential, but plain and deep-cut inscriptions 
should be made. The appropriation made in the act for erecting 
these monuments, including the cost of locating the positions and all 
other expenses of the Commission, is $6,000. Of this sum $300 has 
already been expended, of which $233.25 was for the actual expenses 
of the officers and enlisted men designated as above mentioned, and 
^66.75 for sundry expenses of the Commission. Other expenses must 
be incurred. It is certain that not more than $5,550 will be avail- 
able for the actual work of rearing monuments. 

This would be $370 for each regiment and battery. It is possible 
for the Commission to raise a plain and substantial stone to each com- 
mand for this sum ; but they have no hesitation in saying that the sum 
is not sufficient for the erection of monuments equal to those already 
provided by other States, or which would compare at all favorably 
with them. They believe that such monuments as could be erected 
for $370 would ill comport with the dignity of the State, and 
would fall short of a worthy commemoration of the subject in hand. 
They are of opinion that $1,000 for each regiment and battery would 
be a proper sum, and, economically expended, would provide monu- 
ments in all respects sufficient and satisfactory. They respectfully 



10 REPORT OF THE GETTYSBURG 

recommend that the Legislature be asked to increase the appropria- 
tion to that sum. The entire appropriation required for such an 
increase would be $9,450. The preliminary work having been for 
the most part done, the Commission hope to settle upon the designs 
and erect the monuments, or at least some of them, during the sum- 
mer of 1887, and to have all completed at the time of the twenty- 
fifth anniversary of the battle, July 1st, 1888 ; at which time a very 
notable gathering of the survivors of both the Union and Confederate 
armies is expected to take place upon the field. 

The commissioners have deemed it proper to append to this report 
a brief general statement (Schedule B) concerning the battle of Get- 
tysburg and the action taken by the Federal and State Governments 
to preserve the battle-grounds. 

AH which is respectfully submitted. 

JAMES N. DUFFY, 
GOTTFRIED KRUEGER. 
WILLIAM H. CORBIN. 
December 7th, 1886. 



BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 11 



SCHEDULES. 



SCHEDULE A. 

DEED AND UNDERTAKING CONCERNING SITES FOR MONUMENTS. 

To all to whom these presents shall come "The Gettysburg Battle-field 
Memorial Assoeiation " send greeting : 

Whereas, By act of the Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania, 
approved April thirtieth, A. d, eighteen hundred and sixty-four. The 
Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association was made a body cor- 
porate and politic, capable in law to do all such things as are incident to 
a corporation ; the object of which Association was declared to be " to 
hold and preserve the battle-grounds of Gettysburg, on which were 
fought the actions of the first, second and third days of July, anno 
domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, with the natural 
and artificial defenses, as they were at the time of said battle, and by 
such perpetuation, and by such memorial structures as a generous and 
patriotic people may aid to erect, to commemorate the heroic deeds, 
the struggles and the triumphs of their brave defenders ;" and in 
furtherance of said object the Association has been by said act, and 
the several amendments thereto, granted ample power to acquire by 
gift, purchase or devise, or by the use of the State's power of con- 
demnation in the exercise of its right of eminent domain, all such 
lands as may be necessary or convenient to promote and accomplish 
the object of its incorporation ; and whereas, by the aforesaid act, the 
said Association has power " to enclose and perpetuate said grounds 
and defenses, to keep them in repair and a state of preservation, to 
construct and maintain ways and roads, to improve and ornament the 
grounds, and to erect and promote the erection by voluntary contri- 
butions of structures and works of art and taste thereon, adapted to 
designate the spots of special interest, to commemorate the great deeds 
of valor, endurance and noble self-sacrifice, and to perpetuate the 
memory of the heroes, of the signal events, which render these battle- 
grounds illustrious ;" and whereas, the State of Pennsylvania, by its 
said act, has declared that " the properly of the said Association shall 
not be subject to attachment or execution, and the lands acquired for 
the purposes of said Association, with its personal property and the 
improvements and appurtenances, shall be forever exempt from tax- 



12 REPORT OF THE GETTYSBURG 

ation, and also from the payment of an enrollment tax ;" and whereas, 
the State of New Jersey, by an act approved April twentieth, a, d. 
eighteen hundred and eighty-five, and a supplement thereto approved 
April twenty-seventh, A. d. eighteen hundred and eighty-six, has 
made provision for the erection of monuments upon said battle- 
grounds to mark the positions of the New Jersey regiments, batteries 
and brigades there engaged, and has appropriated to the said Associ- 
ation, " for the purchase and preservation of the battle-grounds, with 
the natural and artificial defenses of the same and the perpetuation 
thereof, three thousand dollars," to be paid upon the approval of the 
Commissioners hereinafter mentioned ; and whereas, in pursuance of 
said last-mentioned enactment, his Excellency Leon Abbett, Gov- 
ernor of the State of New Jersey, did appoint James N. Duffy, Gott- 
fried Krueger and William H. Corbin, citizens of that State, to be 
Commissioners to carry out the provisions of said enactment ; and they 
have located the lines and positions hereinafter described, which were 
occupied by the respective New Jersey regiments and batteries, and 
are desirous that the necessary lands be obtained for the erection of 
monuments thereon, and that proper assurances be given by said Get- 
tysburg Battle-field Memorial Association that said lands shall be 
secured, held and preserved • 

Now know ye, that The Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Associ- 
ation, in consideration of the premises and of the said sum of three 
thousand dollars, lawful money of the United States to them paid by 
the State of New Jersey upon the approval of said Commissioners, at 
or before the ensealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt 
whereof is hereby acknowledged, have granted, covenanted and agreed, 
and by these presents do grant, covenant and agree to and with the 
State of New Jersey, that the State of New Jersey may erect monu- 
ments, marks and shafts upon the lines and positions hereinafter speci- 
fied in commemoration of the services of the commands hereinafter 
stated, to wit : 

First New Jersey Cavalry. — At a point in line fence between Rum- 
mel and Hemler (now Schaffer) farms, about 1,000 yards west of the 
Cavalry shaft ; position indicated by a stake, numbered " 60." 

Thirteenth New Jersey Infantry. — At a stake marked "61," stand- 
ing in woods south of Spangler's spring in the angle of a line of old 
breastworks facing Rock creek. 

Twelfth New Jersey Infantry. — At or near a stake marked " 63," 
standing on the site of the Bliss barn, and near the monument of the 
Fourteenth Connecticut Infantry. 

First, Second, Third and Fifteenth New Jersey Infantry (all of 
" Kearny's First New Jersey Brigade "). — At or between the points 
indicated by the stakes marked " 43," " 46," " 47," being points to 
southeast of a stone wall enclosing two sides of a field, about 100 
yards southeast of the house of George Wiekert, due north of Little 



BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 13 

Round Top. If but one monument is erected for the entire brigade, 
the positions of the several regiments are to be marked by suitable 
stones. 

Fourth New Jersey Infantry. — Of same brigade last mentioned. 
To have a monument or mark in Spangler's field, about 150 yards 
seutheast of Powers' Hill, at stake marked "41." 

Eleventh New Jersey Infantry. — At a stake marked " 64," on east 
side of Emmettsburg road, near Smith (formerly Essex) House. 

Fifth New Jersey Infantry. — At a stake marked, on east side of 
Emmettsburg road, between Smith and Sherfy Houses. 

Sixth New Jersey Infantry. — At or near a stake marked " 58," 
about 100 yards northeast of Devil's Den. 

Seventh New Jersey Infantry. — At or near a stake marked " 67," 
about 200 yards north of the monument of the Ninth Massachusetts 
Battery, which is on the road running from Peach Orchard to Round 
Top. This position is to be marked if the Association find it feasible 
to acquire the land ; otherwise, a position on the last-mentioned road, 
at the point where it was reached or most nearly reached by the left 
of the regimental line, is to be marked. 

Eighth New Jersey Infantry. — At or near a stake marked " 57," at 
extreme southerly corner of the " wheat field." 

Battery "J.," First New Jersey Artillery. — At a stake marked, 
in rear of position of Webb's Brigade in third day's battle — to left of 
Fitzburgh's battery. This position is a short distance to northeast 
of the famous "clump of trees," towards which Pickett charged. 

Battery "B," First New Jersey Artillery. — At or near a stake marked 
" 68," about 50 yards north of the road from peach orchard to Round 
Top, and about 200 yards east of Emmettsburg road. 

And the said Association doth covenant and agree that they now 
hold, by a title in fee-simple, the lands so required for some of the 
said commands, and that it will with all practicable speed, and within 
the present year, secure a similar title to all such required lands not 
now held by it ; and that it will provide ground for the monuments 
to be erected by the State of New Jersey, either by opening avenues 
along the lines of battle in which the monuments are to stand, or by 
the purchase in fee-simple of a plot of ground for each monument, 
which plot shall contain not less than four hundred square feet, with 
a perpetual right of way to the public from some neighboring high- 
way to such plot. 

And The Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association doth further 
covenant with the State of New Jersey that upon the completion of 
said monuments, marks and shafts it will take the same into its charge 
and care to the end that the same may be protected, preserved and 
maintained perpetually, and will keep the same and the grounds 
whereon they stand in its ownership and possession forever, and will 



14 REPORT OF THE GETTYSBURG 

forever preserve and maintain the same as memorials to the troops in 
whose honor the same are erected, according to the true intent and 
meaning of the said enactments of the States of Pennsylvania and 
New Jersey. 

In testimony whereof, The Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Asso- 
ciation hath caused its common seal to be hereto affixed, and these 
presents to be signed by its president and secretary the twenty-second 
day of September, anno domini one thousand eight hundred and 
eighty-six. 

D. A. BUEHLER, 
[l. s.] Vice President. 

Attest : 

Jno. M. Krauth, 

Secretary. 



SCHEDULE B. 
THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. 



The battle was fought on the first, second and third days of July, 
1863, by the Army of the Potomac under Gen. Meade, and the Con- 
federate Army of Northern Virginia under Gen. Lee. 

About 85,000 men with 300 guns were engaged on the Federal 
side, and about 70,000 men with 250 guns on the Confederate side. 

The scene of the conflict was the village of Gettysburg, Adams 
county, Pennsylvania, and the plain on which it stands, stretching to 
the north and south, and the ridge to the east of this plain known as 
Cemetery ridge, and the ridge to the west thereof called Seminary 
ridge, the main lines of battle being along the crest of these ridges, 
the Federals on the east and the Confederates on the west. 

The battle extended over an area of about twenty-five square miles. 
The losses were severe on both sides, and nearly equal, being about 
23,000 in either army. Of these not less than 3,500 in each army 
were killed. 

From the very first this battle excited exceptional and extraordinary 
interest. The great numbers engaged, the heroism so signally dis- 
played, the stubbornness of the fight, its significance as marking the 
culmination of the Confederate invasion of the North, the fact that it 
was fought on Northern soil at a point apart from the " theater of 
war," its decisiveness as the turning point of the Rebellion, the inter- 
esting character of the struggle to the military critic, and the beauty 



BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 15 

of the field to the ordinary observer, all these considerations tended 
to make it famous. 

After the battle was ended the Federals came into possession of the 
entire field. It was strewed with thousands of the dead, as well as 
with hundreds of carcasses of horses bloated under the July sun. 
Unless these were instantly disposed of the country would be unin- 
habitable — a pestilence would ensue. Accordingly, the dead were 
buried, friend and foe, on the field where they fell. In the fertile 
wheat-fields, in gardens, by the road side, in the woods on Gulp's hill, 
on the rocky slopes of Round Top where there was scarcely earth 
enough to cover them from sight. Few were identified, but slight 
marks were put up to indicate how many each trench contained and 
to which army they belonged. The army hastened away in pursuit 
of the enemy leaving the seven thousand shallow graves to show 
where they had been. 



THE GETTYSBUEG CEMETERY. 

Soon after the battle, and in the month of July, 1863, steps were 
taken by Governor Curtin and citizens of Pennsylvania to collect the 
bodies and give them a proper burial. 

The co-operation of the governors of the eighteen Northern States 
having troops at Gettysburg was invited and secured. A plot of 
seventeen acres of ground on Cemetery hill, at the center of the 
Union line of battle, was purchased. These grounds were dedicated 
on October 19th, 1863, President Lincoln being present. It was on 
this occasion that he delivered the immortal address ending with the 
phrase "government of the people, by the people, for the people, 
shall not perish from the earth." Eight days later the work of re- 
interring the bodies was commenced. It was completed in March, 
1864, no less than 3,512 bodies of Union soldiers having been 
re-interred. Of these, 78 are known to be from New Jersey regi- 
ments, and 979 are from unknown commands. 

The Governor of this State assisted in this work, and his action 
was ratified by the Legislature by a joint resolution passed April 8th, 
1864, appropriating $3,000. (P. L. 1864, p. 774.) The Governor 
was also authorized to appoint a trustee to represent this State in the 
board governing the cemetery. Under this authority Levi Scoby and 
Edward M. DuBois were successively appointed to represent this 
State. Further expenditures being necessary, the Legislature, by 
joint resolution passed April 5th, 1865 (P. L. 1865, p. 958), author- 
ized further disbursements, not exceeding $3,000. There was actually 
spent, under these appropriations, for establishing the cemetery and 
erecting the great monument therein, $4,205.30, being New Jersey's 
share of the total expenditure, which was $129,523.24. (Bachel- 
der's Gettysburg, p. 114.) 



16 REPORT OF THE GETTYSBURG 

Meantime the State of Pennsylvania had, on April 6th, 1864^ 
incorporated the board of trustees having control of the cemetery. 

In the year 1870, the cemetery and its monument being then com- 
pleted, and the Congress of the United States having made provision 
for the care of the national cemeteries by the general government, it 
was determined to turn over the Gettysburg cemetery to the care of 
Congress. This State gave its assent to the transfer on March 16thy 
1870, by an act passed for the purpose (P. L. 1870, p. 31). 

From that time until the present the general government has main- 
tained the cemetery, having a keeper and assistants in constant charge. 
About the year 1866, many of the Confederate dead were disinterred, 
removed to Richmond, Virginia, and there given a reburial. 

Many were omitted, however (probably some from both armies), aa 
is annually proved by the burrowing plowshares of the farmers of 
Adams county. 



THE GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION. 

On the 30th day of April, 1864, the Legislature of Pennsylvania 
also created a corporation known as "The Gettysburg Battle-field 
Memorial Association," with perpetual succession, having for it& 
object " to hold and preserve the battle-grounds of Gettysburg, on 
which were fought the actions of the first, second and third days of 
July, A. D. 1863, with the natural and artificial defenses, as they were 
at the time of said battle, and by such perpetuation and such memo- 
rial structures as a generous and patriotic people may aid to erect, to 
commemorate the heroic deeds, the struggles and the triumphs of 
their brave defenders." 

The charter of this Association, as since amended, endowed the 
Association with the power of acquiring all needed lands, by con- 
demnation if necessary, and exempts its property from taxation. 

The Governor of each State contributing to the funds of the Asso- 
ciation, is ex-qfficio a director, and he may designate a citizen of his 
State to act in his stead. • 

The Association has made very commendable progress in accom- 
plishing the work for which it was created. Several hundred acres, 
covering the most important portions of the field, have been pur- 
chased, avenues have been opened along the lines of battle in such a 
manner as to exhibit the field while altering its features to the least 
extent. Field-works have been restored and maintained; cannon 
have been mounted in the position where the batteries stood, sign 
posts have been erected showing the location of the regiments ; walU 
and fences have been maintained as they were. 

When it is observed that the lines of battle run through many 
farms and fields, gardens and woods, across brooks and over hills, 
without regard to the lines of agricultural operations, it will be seen 



BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 17 

that the land damages are necessarily great, and that much opposition 
must be encountered in fully carrying out the designs of the Associa- 
tion. Enough has been done, however, to prove that the undertaking 
will be a complete success. 

The Association depends almost wholly for its funds upon the 
appropriations made by the several States. They have received from 
New York, $10,000; from Pennsylvania, $16,000; Massachusetts, 
$5,000; Connecticut, $2,500; Minnesota, $1,000; New Hampshire, 
$1,000; and from New Jersey, $3,000. 

These sums are exclusively for the use of the Association. Ohio 
has appropriated $40,000 for the Association and for monuments; 
Rhode Island, $2,000; Indiana, $3,000, and Delaware, $2,000. 
Other States have taken steps in the matter, and no doubt all of 
the eighteen represented on the field will contribute to its preserva- 
tion. 



MONUMENTS ON THE FIELD. 

In addition to the above-stated sums appropriated to the use of the 
Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association, large amounts have 
been raised, both by public appropriation and private subscription, 
for the erection of monuments marking the places on the field of 
battle where the regiments and batteries stood, or where individual 
officers fell. About 360 regiments and batteries were engaged on 
the Union side ; of these about one hundred have erected monuments 
and marks to indicate their positions. Should all the others follow 
their example, the lines of battle could be traced out by lines of 
monuments ; in fact, they can to a great extent be so traced now. 

It need scarcely be said that these monuments add immensely to 
the satisfaction of the visitor to the battle-field. All contain inscrip- 
tions, some briefly, some more fully describing the part taken by the 
command in whose honor the monument is reared. Some of the 
inscriptions, read in plain view of the surrounding positions, present 
a thrilling picture of the struggle. For example, the inscription on 
the monument of the Second Massachusetts Regiment, at the edge of 
the woods and foot of the hill near Spangler's spring, runs thus : 
" From the hill behind this monument, on the morning of July 
third, 1863, the Second Massachusetts Infantry made an assault upon 
the Confederate troops in the woods at the base of Culp's hill, oppo- 
site. The regiment carried to the charge 22 officers and 294 enlisted 
men. It lost 4 officers and 41 enlisted men, killed and mortally 
wounded, and 6 officers and 84 enlisted men wounded. To perpetu- 
ate the honored memories of that hour, the survivors of the regiment 
have erected this stone, 1879." 



18 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 

CONFEDERATE MONUMENTS. ^ 

During the past five years not a little interest has been excited 
among the Confederate survivors of Gettysburg in the marking of 
that field. Many of them have visited the battle-grounds and given 
assistance in locating lines and explaining the movements made. 
They were quite largely represented at the dedication of the " Cav- 
alry Shaft," on the right flank, and upon other occasions. 

Recently movements have been set on foot by some of them to 
mark their positions in the battle, and their first monument was 
erected during the past autumn. It is on Gulp's hill, on the posi- 
tion held by a regiment of Confederate Maryland Infantry. Near 
this point, strange to say, Maryland troops fought on both sides, a 
Maryland Confederate regiment actually coming face to face with a 
Maryland Federal regiment and being hotly engaged against it. 

GOVERNMENT SURVEYS, &C. 

The Federal Government has caused the entire battle-field and the 
adjacent country to be accurately surveyed and leveled and contour 
maps to be made. Upon these maps the positions of all troops 
engaged during the three days, have been laid down by Col. John B. 
Bachelder, of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, a gentleman who has made 
a constant study of the field and of the history of the battle from its 
occurrence to the present time. 

Congress, in 1873, also donated a large number of cannon and can- 
non balls to the Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association "for 
the purpose of their work of indication of the battle-field of Gettys- 
burg," which have been effectively used. 



18 G 




